A medicine-man,
observing his momentary frenzy, grappled with and threw him, crying to
the neighbors, "Mad! ice on!" Ice was applied to his scalp, and the life
of his benefactor was saved. Ever since, the place has been called
Madison.
Milwaukee received its name from an eminent red predecessor of the
pedestrian WESTON. This tremendous strider was called, in his melodious
native tongue, "MILE-WALKEE"--because, to the infinite delight of his
trainer, HOR. SCREELEY--he could make a mile in four minutes, without
breaking.
The name of Superior was quite obscure in its origin, and the solution
only yielded to the most persistent and patient inquiry. Even CHARLEVOIX
does not mention it. It seems that the Chippewas who inhabit the
Southwestern shore of the Lake were formerly more wretched than now--the
squaws more ragged, and the pappooses more Squalled; and when CARVER
came through he established a charity soup-house near the western
extremity. The beggarly braves flocked in with their gingerbread-colored
broods, and for months the benevolent sutler who was left in charge of
the establishment stood on a barrel-head and shouted daily to the
assembled thousands, "Soup! Here y'are!" This was taken up and corrupted
by the ignorant aborigines, and finally became Superior.
It is not necessary to say that Kenosha was named after the Western game
of "Keno," or that Winnipeg is a deduction of the pleasant game of
cribbage.
The origin of the name of Selma will be obvious to all thoughtful
readers who remember that it has been a notorious slave market.
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